Method of producing woven reed articles.



M. B. LLOYD.

METHOD OF PRODUCING WOVEN REED ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6. 1911.

1,243,081. Patented 001;. 16,1917.

2 SHEETSSHEEI I.

M. B. LLOYD.

METHOD or PRODUCING WOVEN REED ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6,191?

1 ,243,081 a Patented Oct. 16, 191?.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2. 1 .1! J7 Ill MARSHALL B. LLOYD, 0F MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN.

IMETHOD OF PRODUCING WOVEN REED ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Continuation in part: of application Serial No. 109,714,1iled July 17, 1916.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

This application flied February 6.1917. Serial N0. 146,910.

lie it known that l. llxnsniuliy l3. LLOYD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident; of Menominee. county of Menominee, and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new, nselnl and improved Method of Pro' during Wort-n lleod ltrtit'les. f which the jt t'ilimvingr is a spec fication.

lilv invention relaiea; generally to the inaniiiaetnre o't' wmen r ed articles and relates more pai'tiunlarl to the manufacture of -lltiii reed articles at tin not, have a supporting frame.

The reed lahrie with which my Invention eont-erned is conniosed of a plurality of srmcetl nnznliers called stakes. which may he i reed or wire and which in workahle lengths hare Sntlirirnl' rigidity to he selfsnpporting and to resist e nsiiierahle force tending to bend or kink alirnpily. in this l'esnett at least thev :iitler greatly from the loosirtiara! lll of tin lltw'n'ls l' cloth which can he bent, twisted. or llllilttll in almost any manner with little force and without materially injuring them. Upon these stakes long sin-ends ealled fillers. re woven over some of the stakes and under others. For example, the filler strand in some instances may pass over mi:- Filliii aw! miller the neX' adjacent stain. or it may ;:1-- ::v:-r one stake. and under the next two adja ent stakes, or it inav vary in the manner in which it; weaves under and mer the stakes in a great many ways to prodnee rlitlerent results and etl eets. The reed, fabric with which my invention eoneernmi is also to lie distinguished from Ciilll i'alvric, such as is extensivelv used for chair seats and the like. While the tiller strands may he and sometimes ar put under sneh tension as will irrarinallv enrve or shape stakes. to the end lliat the linishe i lalirir w ll hauthe desired l'ornn tinstzzkes are not usually abruptly iltlil or tllwlilltlttl hy the tiller strands, but on the other hand. the tiller strands are bent: itllil shaped t interwveare aronntl stakes.

in mannl'xwtnrinn' reed artit'les under the prior lilnt'll t. it has been the universal pram tire to weave ihv taln'il' lree hand and for the reed \HH'lhl' to shape the article in the prowess of weaving to the desired l'nrnl. Ii the article is ne that is irregular in Sll;l]il the stakes, during the weaving: operm tinn. project at various widely diversified angles. During the weaving op rati ns, un-

der the hitherto universal practice, these stakes must be constantly shaped, positioned, and alined, so that the fabric will assume the desired shape and also will have an appearnnee of uniformity and particularly to the end that the stakes shall assume regular lines. The operation of weaving and shaping the reed fabric is a most difficult one because of these many variable factors and hence require highly skilled workmen, so much so'that where there. is any substantial amount of shaping, as is necessary under present; methods, in an article having pleasing curved lines, only workers having several years of experience can be employed and then the time required is considerable even to nnlnniactnre a relatively small article. As a result of the foregoing facts reed artieles, while extensively used, are at the present time expensive.

The general object of my invention is to provide :1 method wherewith it; shall be possible to weave reed articles with greater rapidity and at lower cost than has hitherto been possible.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a method of weaving reed articles in which many of the hitherto variable elements or factors shall be eliminated; vhere with artistic, articles having curved or in regular lines can be produced with sirhstanr tially the same ease as the strai ht, uniform, and simple articles; with whici it shall be possible to weave the reed fabric with greater uniformity and with increased strength; wherewith unskilled Workers can produce reednrticles of the kind hitherto prodneihle only by the most skilled workmen; and wherewith the hitherto highly individualistic weaving of each reed article to desired form can he reduced to a. factory system of weaving the reed fabric in a form convenient for the weaving operation and then reshaping or reforming the article to secure the desired permanentized shapes and effects.

My invention consists generally in the manner, steps, acts, and sequence thereof, whereby the. above objects tt'igether with others which will appear hereinafter are attainable; and my invention will he more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings; illustrative thereof, and wherein l igure 1, is a side elevation of a tcrnplet,

uide or form upon which I prefer in some instances to weave the fabric.

Fig. 2, is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1. y

' Fig. 3, illustrates .the manner in which I weave the fabric.

Fig. 4, is a plan view of the mechanism shown. in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is a detail of the fabric in the course of manufacture.

Fig. 6, is-a cross-section of the fabric.

Fig, 7 is a detailed view substantially on the 11m 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8, is a side elevation of the finished fabric apart from the tem let.

Fig. 9, is a plan view oft efinished fabric, in the condition shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10, is a plan view illustratin the fabric inverted and in re-shaped con ition but before the stakes are laid down.

Fig. 11, is a side view of the fabric in the condition shown in Fi 10.

Fig. 12, is a side v ew illustrating a still further ste embodying my invention, that may be ta en in the production of a reed article.

Figs. 13 and 14, illustrate a method of finishing the fabric edge and permanentizin the fabric in re-shaped condition.

Iig. 15, is a vertical transverse cross sec tion through the finished article.

Figs. 16, and 17, and 18, illustrate a method of giving different shapes to the fabric by treatment of the marginal portions thereof; and

Figs. 19 and 20, illustrate form or shaping devices which may be used where necessary to hold the fabric in re-shaped condition until set. V

For the purposes of illustration, I have chosen to depict the manufacture of a somewhat elliptical flaring reed article because such articles on the one hand fairly illustrate the difficulties encountered in the production of reed articles under the hitherto universal method, and on the other hand the ease and simplicity of manufacturing articles under any method. In order better to understand the difliculties of weaving reed articles of this kind in the hitherto customary manner I shall first briefly describe that method. In order to secure the bowed or curved shape in the fabric, as best shown in Fig. 15, it has been necessar to start with the stakes projecting substantially at right angles with relation to the side of the finished article. The reed workers, havingpositioned the stakes in this manner, start at the bottom and weave the filler strand over and under the stakes at the same time sha ing the stakes upwardly and placing the ler strands under just the right tension so that the stakes can be gradually turned from their right-angular positions progressively up ward. To shape these di- .end instead o the claims, I shall vex-gent stakes gradually upwardly, to maintain them in proper spaced relation, and to shape the filler strand with just that degree of tension necessary to give the desired shape and character to the fabric, is diflicult indeed because of the many variable factors which must be considered and for which compensation must be made.

I have solved this difiicult com lex problem in a very simple way by iminating many of the variable factors and reducing the remainin ones to simple easily understood and easll manipulated steps. To this weaving the fabric in the form or shape desired, which is usually an irregular shape, and which at best is poorly adapted for convenient weaving, I weave the fabric in a manner more convenient for the weaving operation and then re-sha e the fabric in a manner to secure desired s apes and effects. shortly, in this. way, I secure freedom of movement and convenience in weavin which largel eliminate the present difiicu ties. Again may grip, sgace, and hold the stakes in such a way an in relation to a mechanical guide, templet, or form so that the most unskilled worker can weave thefabric by simply weaving in a natural manner around or against the templet or form. The templet is of such character that the fabric produced thereon will be of desired size, but the templet is not of the same sha e as the article desired'but is designed to acilitateweaving, the desired shape being attained by there-shaping operation.

While my method is not to be considered limited to the manufacture of the fabric about a templet exce t where so limited in escribe my invention with reference to the manufacture of the fabric about a tem let because this is often the preferable mo e of procedure inasmuch as unskilled workers can be more readily employed and in an event the articles pro- -duced will be of more uniform size and shape than when produced without a tam plet.

In the drawings 5 represents a suitable templet upon which weave the fabric and which in this instance comprises a lower annulus 6, and an u per annulus 7, between which are a plurality of members 8, which serve as guides, limitingedevices, or restrainin elements as will hereinafter more fu ly described. It so happens in this instance that it is desirable that tlie'side of the article shall have a gentle bow as indicated in Fig. 15, and for this reason I pnefer to make the sizes and relation of the guides 8, in such a manner that a line connecting their peripheries is curved or bowed.

The templet 5, is preferably mounted for rotation, although this is a mere matter of As will be better understood convenience, upon a support 9, by any suitable means; such for example, as the verti cal shaft 10, which is secured centrally ol the 'templet and which has a projecting portion entering a socket in the support. In the lower annulus 6, are a number of holes 11, suitably spaced in which the stakes 15, are placed and from which they upstand as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. These-stakes it will be noted, upstand in regular form and encircle the templet guides it is a most simple operation for the worker to weave the filler strands upon the stakes in this condition, it being but necessary to continue the tiller strand or strands over and under the stakes and around the templct inI regular courses from the bottom to the top, or conversely from the top to the bottom if desired, although 1 find it more convenient to work from the bottom u 'iwardly. The tiller strands are pulled so that the stnhl'r; just follow the guides H. of the templet; su stanlially as indicated in Fig. T. ph't, there'l'ol'e. so limits the nimenient of tin stakes and the tension upon the filler strands that the fabric is naturally shaped to the form of the templet. The relatively close relation of the guides 8. prevent the stakes from being; bentin beyond the desired point or line. In this manner an endless fabric having uniform courses of the filler strand can be produced rapidly by even an unskilled worker. The completed fabric is shown'in Figs. H and 9. wherein 15, are the stakes and 10, the tiller strands. In this instance I have left portions 17. of the stakes projecting from the body of the fabric at each end, the purpose of which will be shortly described l-Iaving thus produced a reed fabric of desired size, I next proceed to re-sha c it to desired ermanentized shape. "0 secure the elliptical article'of the instance case, I apply pressure to the sides of the fabric thus changing it from cii cular cross section to elliptical cross section as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Of course it will be understood that to secure differently sha ed articles, pressure will be applied in such places as is necessary to reshape to de sired shape. I find that I can permancntiic the fabric in rc-shaped condition in many ways, some of which are more suitabe for articles of one kind than articles of another, depending somewhat upon the use to which the article is subjected. For example, I find that by simply applying pressure to reshape the article, it will retain its reshaped condition against reversion to its initial shape and also that its capacity to retain its re-shaped form. is governed somewhat by the character of the fabric, 11. 1a., natural reed, fiber reed, etc. With fabric of some kinds itmay be necessary to hold in reshaped condition for a time to permit the fabric to become permanently reset. The re-sLaping of such fabric as is to be held for a time pending setting may be conveniently carried out by means of the devices shown in l igs. l9 and 2t). 'lherein llltl represents a l'orni or block of the shapedrsircdin the l'CqSllllPUlil article and whit-Ir in this instance is shown. somewhat elliptical. on a I'Mllttml. scale, to produce the elliptical article tinder considm'ation. lOl is a follower of similar shape but enough larger to lit o\er [Imam-k or form lUtJ and, to arronnnmlahthe fabric therebet-ween. 'lhustho completed l'ahrir as shown'inFigs. S and !),-ean he lft'rfillilpt'tl and placed over the form or block ltltl 'and then the 'l'ollower lll'l plum-d (.\tl thr l'ahrie thus holding the l'arhric to the shape ollthc lorinauphlork Hit). The fabric is pl-irn iti -ll to remain betueen'thcblock and follower until it. has been permanently set. and is then removed. 1 cannot state the exact time ncccssauv as this will var with the rliarar- (er of the material moplo; -d. ll l ha t, the lulli'h xllli ri-tain t!-..-'l1.tt;t when rin'ioi'rd l'loln thi l-lorl. .iiLi i'olioorr and ii upon removal any l-naiw-ahle rewrsion to initial shape, ensues it ran lureadilv re placed upon the follower for a longer period.

T alsofind that. when the fabric is re sliapcdjlz etore the? pr: ijeetingr stakes a re laid 'dow n that the placingof txlierstalios tdlli fiislt" the edge exert a restraining inlluelu'o tnprc- .vcnt'. reversion to 'initiafl shapeand tu' permanentize'thc fabric in rr shaped conthtivm.

There are many ways of finishing tlur'rilge of the fabric and 1 have illustratedbut, o'ne way in figs. L3 ant. 14. The portions 1 T, of the stakes are, bent'ht right angles as indL rated by the dottedfliue (see Fig. 1 3) ea'rh end portion passing ovez-itlnnext adlarc'ntstake and behind tl'ic'seeond one thus pro ducing a finished edge l5. as best shown in Fig. 14. Of course. lmav so linish tin-edges of the l'ahrir before it is reshaped if del haze so far l'oond it hotter-to sired, l nt Is a the projecting portions of the stakes" and. to finish ihemafter the jtll'llllt. is reshaped.

I i y ex iernne itation, T also find that 1.

can further ni 'idly, 1pcrn'ianentize the article by reshaping:tlie'Inln'ic in 'nalural condition andliyalienpplying to the fabri'cone or lnore eoats of: eiaez such for GXttm ]')lQ,"-'tlS glue size. Shellac also may be used "sueeessf'ullv liolfiperni :11'iefr1ta:/ .i1t, r-.,pi|rposes. To

hold 1.] article reshapedcondit ion pend i '1 in; the ap giliratimi,of the permanent-izirig material, bands, wires, :01 othervsuitable restraining dm icesmay be employed. As illustrated in l igs. ,10 and ll. cross wires 105, and 106, are. placed above and below to holdthe article in elliptical shape. 'llrcse do not interfere seriously; with the application of the. permanentizingr material and are left in iositi-ion until the material has dried after Wlncl may b'e' re-s' iaped in conjunction with dethey are removed; or the fabric -i before re-shapin'g which -wil vices as illustrated 19 and 20, until it retains the re-shaped or m sufficiently to be rembved and receive the permanentizing material without noticeable reversion to initial shape. a If desired, the fabric be dampened facilitate the re-sha ing operation and when dried in reshape condition will aid in giving a permanentset.

Thusit becomes apparent that the fabric,

can be re-shaped and permanentized in many.

direction of the filler strands are thus changed as will be atonce apparent bv viewing Figs. 11 and 12. At t 181711118, I'- might also state that I can secure difierent eifects by foldin more,"or less of the marginal portions 0 thefabric outof the plane of'weave. In Fig. 16, I have folded a con- 'plets f'of u siderable marginal portion thus producin one efi'ect; In Fig. 17, l have folded a esser marginal portionthus producing a difl'erent effect; and in 18, I have not folded the marginal portion to any a pre-- ciable extent, thus producing a still di erent efiect.- These illustrations are suflieient to show the possibilities of thisjroeedure.

In ualifying the fabric or 1ts elements as reed in the specificationor claims, I mean to limit my invention to fabric, the elements of which erate in the manner above described as c aracteristic of the stake and strand fabric made of reed, but to embrace such materials whether they. be the natural reed, paper reed, or other'materials having the general characteristics of reed.

-'For some articles, templet, forms,. or

mechanical guides of diiferent sizes shapes and character will be employed, method will be found to be'characterlaed by weaving the reed fabric in a manner convenient for the weaving operation and then re-shaping to permanentized sha e of desired form, as distinguished from t e hitherto universal practice sha mg the article as in a manner whi is inconvenient, slow,

laborious and dependent upon a high def! of skill in the workman. With my El :51, bgi ,roviding relativel few temerent sizes and articles in great variety can be produced at my apes, reed rapidl by unskilled workers and at relatively ow cost.

Inasmuch as th-isdisclosure will readily suggest to others skilled in the art to whic 'this a pertains, various methods whereby the su stantial objects of my invention can be attained, I do not wish to be limited to the specific stated manner of procedure nor to the recise steps, acts, or stated sequence thereo except only as may be necessary by limitations in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim 1. The method of manufacturin reed articles having an endless fabric whic consists 'inweaving the fabric in an endless shape diilerent r and in re-shaping the fabric, out of its om thev desired endless fabric plane of weave, to desired shape.

2. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an" endless fabric which consists in weaving the reed fabric, about a templet, in endless shape different from the desired endless shape and in re-shaping the :flbric, out of it's p ane of weave, to desired 3. The method of manufacturin reed articles having an endless fabric w ich consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape difi'erent from the desired endless shape and in folding desired marginal por- 4. The method of manufacturin reed articles Having an endless fabric w ich consists in weaving the fabric, about a templet, in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape and in folding desired marginal portions out of its plane of weave.

, 5.- The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving tl lefabric in endless shape difierent from the desired endless shape and in distorting ed wise desired substantial portions of the fa ric.

6. The method of manufaeturin reed articles having an endless fabric-w ich consists in weavinglthe fabric, about a templet, in an endless s ape different from the. desired endless shape and in permanently distortingedgewise desired substantial portions ofthe fabric.

7. The method of manufacturing reed articles of non-circular cross section which consists in weaving the fabric in circular cross section and in re-shaping the fabric to desired non-circular cross section.

8. The method of manufacturing reed articles of tubular cross section 0 diiferent dimensions which consists inv weavin the fabric in tubular cross section of di erent dimensions and in a shape difl'erent from the desired tubular sha and in re-shaping the. fabric, out of its fil fiie of weave, to the desired shape: v

9. The method of manufacturin reed articles of tubular cross section of di erent ditions of the fabric out of its plane of weave. I

Inensions which consists in weaving the fab me, about a templet, in tubular cross section of different dimensions and in a shape different from the desired tubular shape and in re-shaping the fabric, out of its plane of weave to the desired shape.

10. The method of manufacturing reed articles having a non-circular tubular fabric of different cross sectional dimensions which consists in weaving the fabric in tubular shape of circular cross section having diflerent dimensions and in rc-shaping the fabric to desired non-circular cross section.

11. The method of manufacturing reed articles having a non-circular tubular fabric of different cross sectional dimensions which consists in. weaving the fabric, about a tern plot, in tubular shape of circular cross section having different dimensions and in reshaping the fabric to desired non-circular cross section.

1.2. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric with a contour curved with respect to its axis at least in part, which consists in weaving the fabric. with such curved contour at least in part. in an endless shape. different from the desired endless shape and in re-shaping the fabric, out of its plane of weave, to desired shape.

13. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric with a contour curved with respect to its axis at least in part, which consists in weaving the fabric, about a templet, with such curved contour at least in part. in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape and in rte-shaping the fabric, out of its plane of weave, to desired shape.

14. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the reed fabric in an endl ss shape different from the desired endless shape. rc-shaping the fabric out of its plane of weave, to desired shape and permanentizing the fabric in re-shaped condition.

15. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the reed fabric, about a templet. in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape. re-shaping the fabric, out of its plane of weave. to desired shape and permancntizin; the fabric in reshaped condition.

16. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape. folding desired marginal portions of the fabric out of the plane of Weave and permanr-ntizing the fabric in changed condition.

17. The method of manufacturing reed articles havin an endless fabric which consists in Wcavmg thc fabric, about a templet, in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape, folding desired marginal portions of the fabric out of the plane of Weave and llfill'llillllllflzlllg the fabric in changed condition.

18. The method of manufacturing reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape dil'l'ercnt from the desired endless shape, distorting cdgmvise desired substantial poi-lions of the fabric and permanentiw ing lhe fabric in changed condition.

1!). The method of manufacturing" reed articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the fabric. about a teinplet, in an endless shape different from th desired endless shape, distorting edgewise dcsircd substantial portions of the fabric and permanentizing the fabric in changed con-- rlition.

20. The method of manufacturing reed articles of tubular cross section and of diii'ei ent cross sectional dimensions which consists in weaving the fabri:- to tubular cross section of different shape 5 having: different cross sertional dimensi ns. lfi-fil'lftplt gf; the fa ric out of its plam of \HitH and permancntizing the fabric in reshaped non (lltlfifl.

21. The method of manui'acturing reed a1- ticles of tubular cross section and of different cross sectional 'limensions which consists in weaving the fabric. about a templet, to tubular cross section of dii'lrrent shape and having; different or scrtioiml dimensions reshaping the fabric out of its plane of weave and perman ntiyin; the fabric in re shaped condition.

22. The method of manu facturing reed articles having an endles fabric with a. con-- tour curved. at least in part. which consists in weaving the fabr c in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape and with a contour curved at least in part. reshaping the fa ric out of its plane of weave and permanentizing the fabric in I'm-shaped condition.

23. The method of manufacturing reed articlcs having an endless fabric with. a contour curved. at least in part which consists in weaving the fabric, about a templet, in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape and with a contour curved at least in part. reshaping the fabric out of. its plane of weave and permanentlzing the fabric in reshaped condition.

24. The method of manufacturing reed. articles having an endless fabric which consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape. r --shaping the fabric. out of its plane of Weave, to desired shape and applying sizing to permanentize the. fabric in reshaped condition.

25. The method of ma nui'm-turing reed ar ticles having an endless fabric which conill sists in weaving the fabric, about a templet, in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape, re-shapin the fabric, out of its plane of weave, to esired sha e, and applyln sizing to permanentize t e fabric in re-s aped condition.

ric in a shape different from the desired shape and with jecting from the fabric, out of its Iportions of the stakes proller strands, re-shaping the plane of weave, to desired 26. The method of manufacturin reed ar shape, and then laying down the projecting ticles having an endless fabric w ich consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape, dampening the fabric re-shapin the fabric, out of its plane of weave, whi e in dampened condition and drying the fabric while in re-shaped condition.

27. The method of manufacturin reed articles having an 'endless fabric w ich consists in weaving the fabric, about a templet, in an endless shape different from the desired endless shape dampening the fabric re-shapin the fabric, out of its lane 0 weave, w ile in dampened condition and drying the fabric while in re-shaped condition.

stakes.

29. The method of manufacturin reed articles having an endless fabric w ich consists in weaving the fabric in an endless shape different from the desired endlm a5 shape and with portions of the stakesprojecting, from the filler strands, re-shapin the fabric out of its plane of weave, an then laying down the stakes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 25th day of January, 1917, in the presence of two subscribin witnesses.

MARSHALL B. iLOYD.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR WM. NnLsoN, FRANK L. SALEN. 

